Even if you don’t think of yourself, think of us. What about your dad and me in our old age? What about your brother? ” The nagging grated on Rebecca’s nerves. Every time her family squeezed Vance for more, she felt like vanishing into thin air. Their greed trampled her dignity and shredded her self – respect in the marriage. Vance’s lavish generosity only fueled their demands, but only she knew how deeply he despised their pettiness deep down. Yet they deluded themselves into thinking he genuinely liked them. Rebecca couldn’t endure it any longer. ” Enough!
If you keep hounding Vance for stuff or money, I’ll just divorce him! ” Undaunted, Adeline scoffed, ” You? Divorce him? Planning to beg on the streets? How would you survive without him? Got some guy on the side? What could they possibly want – your limp? Your uselessness? Or your age? ” That was her mother and the toxic atmosphere of this house. No wonder she dreaded every visit ; each one was pure torment. ” Fine! Then I’m out! I’ll go beg right now! ” She stood up and stormed toward the door. ” With that limp, how far will you get? ” Adeline sneered.” Don’t embarrass yourself and us. When he gets back and asks, should I tell him you went out hustling? ” Rebecca froze at the door, her back to Adeline. She bit her lip until it bled, desperately holding back her tears. Hustling. That was likely Adeline’s highest aspiration for her, in whatever form it took. As a child, when Rebecca wanted dance lessons, Adeline had snapped, ” Why learn dance like some floozy out to sell herself?” Later, swayed by who – knows – what, she’d conceded and begun to believe that dance built poise, making girls more marketable to rich men for better prices. In a cruel twist, Rebecca had fulfilled that vision, selling herself dearly, at the cost of her leg. Every minute in this house suffocated her, yet she couldn’t leave. If she did, her parents might unleash even wilder demands on Vance. Seeing her rooted in place, Adeline snorted triumphantly. ” Thought you were tougher than that.
“Vance and Soren returned from fishing as evening fell, joined by her brother, Emmett Perry, who had hurried home for dinner. Soren burst in, loudly praising Vance’s luck. Vance had reeled in a bounty, while Soren caught nothing. Adeline swiftly joined the flattery chorus. Rebecca was accustomed to their sycophantic displays, but they still turned her stomach. Adeline summoned everyone to the table, and Soren uncorked a bottle of whiskey, proclaiming loudly, ” Thanks to Vance, I get to taste this. I’d never afford it.” Vance responded with good – natured patience, but Rebecca squirmed in her seat. Emmett exchanged sly glances with Adeline, followed by a nudge, Rebecca caught it, knowing they were up to no good.
“Here, have a drumstick.” Adeline eagerly served Vance with tongs. ” No, no, give it to Soren. It’s his special day, ” Vance replied, shifting his plate aside. Rebecca snorted inwardly, knowing the real reason. Vance disliked their bland cooking ; he craved spice but detested grease. That pallid chicken, slick with oil, hit every aversion. Yet Adeline’s zeal was unstoppable. She piled his plate high with food. 1 Watching Vance’s concealed discomfort, Rebecca felt a flicker of schadenfreude.
In the past, she’d discreetly transfer portions to her plate to spare him, but not today. He’d have to deal with it himself. He cast pleading glances her way, but she feigned ignorance. Resigned, he nibbled slowly, struggling with each bite. Adeline turned to her. ” Becky… ” Here it came again. The affectionate appellation always signaled a favor aimed at Vance, but routed through Rebecca. Adeline was cunning in that aspect, complaining to Rebecca and guilt – trapping Vance. That was Rebecca’s role here – a mere conduit. ” Becky, ” Adeline beamed, her eyes crinkling.
“We’ve got good news at home! ” Rebecca offered no response. Their ” good news ” never included her, unless it involved extracting money. Undeterred by the silence, Adeline plowed on. ” Emmett has got a girlfriend. ” Rebecca remained mute, but Vance chimed in politely, ” That’s great. Congrats. ” Rebecca sneered inwardly. ” Congrats? How much is that worth in cash?”
“Yeah, we’re thrilled. It’s just… ” Adeline lit up, then sighed. ” Her family’s demands are so high. They insist on a new house before marriage.”
“A new house? ” Rebecca frowned.” Isn’t this one already bought for Emmett’s wedding? ” Years ago, they had guilted Vance into funding it under the same pretext. Adeline winced dramatically. ” Girls these days are so picky. She won’t accept a lived – in place ; it has to be brand new, with her name on the deed.”
“So? What’s that got to do with me? ” Rebecca interrupted. ” I don’t have money – not a dime. ” Vance tried to speak, but she stomped on his foot under the table. With pretense dropped, Adeline turned pleading eyes to him. ” We’re out of options. Consider it a loan. We’ll pay it back.”
“With what? ” Rebecca cut in again. ” Got another daughter to sell off? Or should I break my other leg? ” Fueled by the whiskey, Soren slammed his fist on the table, rattling the dishes. Undaunted, Rebecca set down her knife and fork. ” No need to bang the table – just hit me. Kill me and end everyone’s misery.”
“How dare you talk back? I’ll beat you senseless today, you ungrateful wretch! ” Soren seized a plate, ready to hurl it. Adeline restrained him desperately. ” Stop it! For Vance’s sake, calm down.” Rebecca almost laughed.
For Vance’s sake? As if he truly valued them. Vance wrapped an arm around her shoulder, his tone soothing. ” Let’s look at houses first. Once you find one…”
“No ‘ once ‘ about it! ” Rebecca shrugged him off and stood abruptly, glaring at her family. ” You want to get married, right? ” Emmett nodded cautiously.
“You need a house, right? ” Rebecca asked again. Adeline blinked, then nodded, puzzled by her intent. ” There’s a way, ” Rebecca scoffed. ” What? ” Emmett and Adeline asked in unison, their eyes alight with greedy anticipation. Grabbing her bag, Rebecca declared sarcastically, ” I’ll divorce Vance, and your girlfriend can marry him instead. Not to mention a house, she gets everything he owns. Cut out the middleman. ” The trio sat stunned, jaws slack, but Vance burst into laughter, which caught Rebecca off guard.
She’d expected offense, but glancing down, she saw amusement lingering on his face. Regardless, dinner was ruined. She turned and strode out, her family too dazed to stop her. She jabbed the elevator button, uncaring how Vance would handle the fallout. As the doors opened, he emerged from the apartment, joining her inside. They descended in tense silence until he pressed B1 . ” What was that today? Why so fired up? ” Rebecca drew a deep breath. ” Vance, I gotta ask you something. ” He paused. ” Go ahead.”
“In your mind, how much is my leg worth?” she asked, pointing at her injured leg. He faltered. ” Why ask that? ” Her eyes burned with unshed tears, her heart aching fiercely. ” I need to know. How much more are you planning to pay for this leg? ” Met with his silence, she persisted. ” I know you don’t like them, and I understand why you indulge their every whim. It’s all because of this leg. Does it have a price limit in your head? How long will you keep compensating for it?”
“Rebecca… ” he began, but the elevator doors slid open.
The waiting person hesitated at the sight of Rebecca’s reddened eyes and Vance’s imposing stance. Vance nodded politely, then gripped her shoulders, turning her toward him to shield her tears from view. The conversation halted. They reached the underground lot, Vance’s hold tightening unconsciously until she was pressed firmly against him. The doors opened, and the stranger exited hastily. The scent of Vance’s shirt assailed her nostrils. She shoved him away and stepped out, with him staring and following.
In the car, he started the engine but didn’t drive off immediately. After a heavy pause, he spoke. ” As I said, just be a good wife. Don’t stress over these trivial things. They mean nothing to me.”
“Yeah, ” she choked out, her voice thick with emotion. ” To you, money is insignificant. Houses and cars are mere drops in the ocean to you. But to me, it feels like I sold you this leg, and you’re forever paying installments. Five years is enough. Let’s end this, okay? Debt is cleared, and we go our separate ways. ” He said nothing, simply driving off.
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